Debt inspectors start Athens talks

Greece's finance minister Evangelos Venizelos arrives for a meeting with international debt inspectors in Athens (AP)

International debt inspectors have arrived in the Greek capital Athens to assess whether the country is doing enough to get crucial bailout cash.

The arrival of the inspectors from the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund comes as the Greek government continues crucial debt-reduction talks with private creditors.

Greece is seeking to get creditors to agree a 100 billion euro (£83.5 billion) writedown.

Heads of the inspection team met with Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who will hold a third day of talks with creditors.

A deal is also necessary if Greece is to get the next batch of bailout cash that would prevent a devastating debt default.

Greece does not have enough money to cover a 14.5 billion euro (£12 billion) bond repayment in March.